David Hearn, a three‑time Olympic canoeist, has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of vandalism after allegedly touching the renovated Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
Hearn stands accused of causing an estimated £750 (US$1,000) in damage to the pool’s newly applied sealant. The charge, brought by the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, claims he deliberately ripped a part of the protective lining in a “deliberate act” on 19 June.
According to a BBC interview, Hearn insisted he had only touched a piece of paint that had already “delaminated.” He stated, “I didn’t destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part of the paint.”
The case has attracted political attention. President Donald Trump has blamed vandals for damage to the new coating, while Hearn’s lawyer Norm Eisen denounced the felony charge as an overreach. “If Mr Hearn can be charged for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk,” Eisen said outside the courthouse on Thursday.
Authorities say Hearn was seen reaching into the water after the pool’s spring renovation, a multi‑million‑dollar project that continued to suffer from algae growth and peeling sealant. Five other people were arrested for vandalism, and five received federal citations, according to US Park Police.
The incident coincides with a broader debate over the cost of renovations and the integrity of the site’s protection. The National Park Service noted in a court filing that a sharp knife or razor had cut the liner on 9 June.
Hearn’s next appearance is scheduled for 5 August. Until then, the case underscores the challenges of maintaining and protecting historic landmarks in the modern era.
